Since 1976, when telecourses were first introduced at Prince George's Community College (PGCC), a total of 27 different courses have been offered by telecredit. An average of five or six telecourses have been offered every term, each enrolling approximately 29 students. In fall 1982, PGCC offered nine telecourse sections, enrolling a total of 219 students. When compared to the student body as a whole, telecourse students were more likely to be female, over 25 years of age, white, and continuing or resuming their studies at PGCC. To learn more about fall 1982 telecourse students, a survey was conducted at course orientation, focusing on students' goals and reasons for taking telecourses. The survey revealed: (1) 60% of the students said they would not have enrolled in the course had telecredit not been available; (2) 62% indicated that a lack of time for regular classroom attendance was very important in their decision to enroll in a telecourse; and (3) 74% of the respondents were pursuing associate in arts degrees, 71% were employed full time, and 51% planned to transfer to a four-year school. An analysis of the final grade distributions for fall 1982 indicated that telecourses usually had lower pass rates than the same courses taught by other modes of instruction. The study report includes the survey instrument and data tables showing enrollment trends, telecredit student characteristics, survey responses, and pass rates. (DAB)

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